Job Details

Director of College & Career Counseling (25-26)

Join to apply for the Director of College & Career Counseling (25-26) role at KIPP Texas Public Schools.

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 59 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 34,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more fair world. Founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, we are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average.

Job Description

The Director of College & Career Counseling is responsible for developing and managing a college and career counseling program and team that will ensure that every student deepens their knowledge about themselves and their top careers of highest aspiration, and builds and executes a strong plan that will allow them to make the best postsecondary choice. The Director will build relationships with school leadership, national organizations, and colleges/universities to access resources for students. The goal is for the college & career counseling department to ensure graduates have the ability to maintain success in academic, professional, and personal life, and to integrate the program within the high school's mission.

This role is ideal for a highly motivated, collaborative, results-driven, service-minded leader with a passion for supporting students in planning and succeeding in their postsecondary path. We seek a leader who can coach and develop counselors and manage day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage, develop, and lead the College & Career Department at a KIPP high school. Coach and support the College & Career Instructors through curriculum assessment, classroom observation, goal setting, and progress monitoring. Support and facilitate college and career development for teachers and staff. Track student college and career data, monitor progress, and implement strategic improvements. Lead college and career programming and exposure. Develop processes to support instructors in helping students finalize postsecondary plans, including applications, financial aid, and standardized tests. Foster an inclusive, solution-focused, growth-mindset team culture.
• Collaborate with the KIPP Forward team and other stakeholders to track and report data for Postsecondary Access. Maintain consistent communication with KIPP Foundation, KIPP Forward, school and regional leadership, students, and families. Establish relationships with external stakeholders (colleges, career partners, scholarship organizations) to support student success. Monitor postsecondary prep, application, and matriculation goals. Ensure regular communication with SPED team, Registrar/Dean of Academic Progress, Testing Coordinator, and families to support progress toward graduation and postsecondary plans. Adapt responsibilities as regional needs evolve.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree preferred
• Experience working with high school students and their families in college counseling is strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience in leading high-performance and diverse teams
• Resilience, strong work ethic, and outcomes-oriented—ability to balance competing priorities under stress and meet deadlines
• Experience using data to drive decision making
• Comfort with a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work with teachers, parents, students, alumni, partners, vendors, and admissions personnel
• Ability to project plan, organize, and prioritize with a collaborative spirit
• Fast learner with openness to feedback
• Proven written and verbal communication skills
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required

Preferred Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• Professional development course on college and career readiness and success

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Constantly operates a computer and office equipment
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or move between worksites
• Communicating with others to exchange information
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds occasionally

Work Environment

• Able to meet school schedule (e.g., 7:30am–4/5pm, depending on PD days)
• Able to work evenings, holidays, and weekends as necessary

Travel Requirements

• Able to travel to other KIPP campuses for professional development and chaperon students to college visits
• Able to travel for home visits with alumni and families as necessary

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on years of experience, education, and level of expertise. As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas benefit plans, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, and disability plans.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.